Memorial for eleven who passed that fateful day
looking to the airport where, across the Adur way
the plane that fell out of the sky seven years now past
took off but never landed save by that fiery blast
Yet now on this east river bank eleven arches stand
and catch the rays of setting suns for those eleven and
serve as fitting testament in Shoreham here so we
do not forget their passing as this sculpture here we see
Photo – the memorial on the east bank of the River Adur in Shoreham. Commemorating the passing of the 11 men who lost their lives on 22 August 2015 when a Hawker Hunter 17 failed to complete a loop as a part of the RAFA Air Show and crashed on the A27 by-pass north of the airport. Created by David Parfitt and Jane Fordham, the sculpture comprises 11 arches, each one personalised in consultation with relatives of the victims.
I waved a long shadow
by a favourite tree
in a favourite field
where I love to be
the sunshine was bright
but with rain in the air
though sadly no rainbow
was evident there
But as usual the joy
of the wander we had
in Seven Tree Field
just made our hearts glad
and our little dog, Obi
he ran and he ran
with exuberant gait
with which all dogs can
So we all walked back to Charmouth
early morning 'round sunrise
with mist in all the valleys
and a glow atop the rise
Took us about an hour
then we walked right back again
as the sun climbed higher brightly
in the east from whence it came
The splendour nature offered
all around was as a treasure
which all of us admired
good measure for good measure
And with dewdrop diamonds shining
we felt enriched beyond decree
in this really special place
where we wandered peacefully
Before the Dorset sun retired
at the end of a fine day
we went for a small wander
down the lanes around this way
At the crossroads we went straight ahead
as it seemed the thing to do
passed by the Crooch Farm courtyard
'neath a cloudless sky of blue
The rays of golden sunshine
glinted precious through the trees
as down the lanes and twittens
we wandered 'neath the leaves
squeezing into hedgerows
as a seldom car went past
this seemed a quaint existence
most refreshing change to fast
And we smiled a knowing smile
at the peace this place exuded
feeling quite at ease opposed
to anything excluded
Far from it, this was home from home
this Dorset countryside
as slow the sun sank in the West
to match our wandering stride
Conclusion fitting both we thought
as in unison we turned
to retrace our evening footsteps
with a new life lesson learned
For here was pure tranquility
with pace so far removed
from that which we had left behind
yet here with pleasure soothed
Pit patter of rain
on the water down there
almost silent the sound
but lovely to share
and watching it fall
yes every small drop
I am mesmerised here
lest it should now stop
Pit patter of rain
the circles at start
concentric the spread
from the very heart
and watching them fall
to this precious scene
is a magical place
I have so often been
Pit patter of rain
as a summer befalls
with the warmth of the air
as each raindrop calls
is something to cherish
as an antonym here
to something that's good
not something to fear
In Lewes on the river path
we walked beside the Ouse
watched it flow in from the sea
meandering to use
That aged water, aged flow
o'er many years has seen
and where along its grassy banks
many souls have been
In Lewes Wolfgang, Sal and I
in spite of summer rain
walked up beside the river
as we are back here again
That aged water, aged flow
cathartic here today
releasing the endorphins
in every single way
Sometimes a biplane
will fly overhead
some of them yellow
and some of them red
Sometimes a seagull
will call on the breeze
as I sit in the sunshine
its warmth on my knees
Sometimes the sea
I will many hours view
for this vista has charm
and always feels new
Sometimes this beach hut
we've had now for years
will pull at heartstrings
and reduce me to tears
Sometimes I ponder
when pensive of mind
that this life is good
and for me very kind
And sometimes these words
I will craft into rhyme
to read and reflect
on from time to time
And in this patch of England
idyllic by the lake
a little slice of heaven
on this evening we will make
Sunshine setting, shadows long
with stillness to the air
we stand and simply marvel
whilst a nightingale sings there
And similar these late-night hours
the silence out there now
with solar-captured radiance
lighting there the bough
My window looks down to this scene
as to slumber most resign
yet for a moment whimsy rests
upon this view sublime
These early mornings
I’ll attest
are good for me
the very best
The gentle rain
just after dawn
with still the air
of new day born
And solitude
where here about
a whisper sounds
just like a shout
I relish this
the quietning time
as it is almost
wholly mine
...all about me and my life in words. I write most days, carrying an ideas book around in which I capture a word snapshot of life around me. So there's a lot here about Sussex and the sea and anything else I see that inspires.
The pictures are mine too. Some taken to match a poem; some poems written to match a pic; others chosen because they work well with words written.
Jemverse is life in words. Hope you enjoy the reading as much as I enjoy the writing...
Jemverse 